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BATTLE // June 18, 1855

Battle of Malakoff

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Source · Wikipedia

Significance

The Battle of Malakoff encompassed a series of French assaults on the Malakoff redoubt during the siege of Sevastopol, a centerpiece of the Crimean War. The initial attack on 18 June 1855 failed, but the successful storming on 8 September 1855 proved decisive. MacMahon's forces seized the redoubt while a simultaneous British assault on the Redan to the south was repulsed, making the French effort the single action that broke Russian resistance. The symbolic moment came when French zouave Eugène Libaut raised the French flag atop the redoubt. The fall of the Malakoff directly triggered the fall of Sevastopol on 9 September, ending an eleven-month siege and delivering the war's most consequential territorial result. The capture of Sevastopol effectively determined the outcome of the Crimean War, forcing Russia toward the peace settlement that followed.

Tactics

The French conducted a direct assault on the Malakoff redoubt, with MacMahon's forces successfully storming the on 8 September 1855. A simultaneous British attack was launched against the Redan to the south of the Malakoff, but that effort was repulsed. The overview does not provide further detail on formations, approach routes, or fire support arrangements.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • French Empire70,500
    medium
  • Russian Empire59,500
    medium

French Empire fielded a 1.2 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • French Empire5,000
    medium7% loss rate
  • Russian Empire1,500
    medium3% loss rate
Order of battle →Casualties in detail →

Commanders (3)

French Empire

Russian Empire

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6 sibling battles · 8 factions

Last verified May 2026
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